Saints-49ers Review

–Nate Clements did a good job particularly on third down at the end of the first quarter. He got a good chuck on receiver Marques Colston, and then stayed with Reggie Bush out of the backfield.

–Ahmad Brooks apparently put on weight recovering from his lacerated kidney injury, nevertheless, he was able to stop abruptly and then turn up field to sack Drew Brees. He is athletic. Brooks is also always swatting at the ball, while making the sack.

-Monday Night Football has visited Candlestick 33 times, most of any stadium in the league.

-You can see why Mike Singletary wants to use Nate Byham more. He blocks well, appears assignment sound, and got 4 yards after first contact by Roman Harper on a first-half reception.

–Frank Gore was excellent at keeping his feet churning. He was stopped twice at the line, but he kept his feet moving and eventually broke out for longer gains.

–Mike Iupati absolutely whiffed on Will Smith but it didn’t matter because Alex Smith got the ball out quickly on a slip screen to Delanie Walker.

-Iupati continues to struggle particularly with pass protection.

-Brooks appears as fast as Patrick Willis in tracking the run.

-49ers defense did an excellent job clogging the middle in defending the Saints’ routes.

-Fullback Moran Norris executed two perfect lead blocks in the first half. He didn’t have any against Seattle. It’s almost painful to watch him catch passes with his mincing steps and unsure balance.

-The team should think twice about giving the right guard spot back to Rachal. Adam Snyder looked good.

-Alex Smith was OK for most of the first half. But he was still just a little off, throwing high to a double covered Vernon Davis even though the other two receivers were in single coverage. He also was throwing a little bit high in his completions. But once he hit Gore in stride for a 12-yard score, he became laser accurate.

-Norris is another guy who completely turned it around in this game. He and Iupati made splendid blocks on Anthony Dixon’s 2-yard run in the third quarter.

-The 49ers practiced last week with a 40-second clock, even though you have 45 seconds between plays. It seemed to work.

-Singletary suggested that he might stay with David Baas at center, even when Eric Heitmann recovers from his broken leg. One reason maybe be Baas’s ability to pull. Frank Gore got good mileage when Baas and right guard Snyder pulled.